Tone modifier



Patented Mar. 18, 1924.

FREDERICK E. SHANE, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

. TONE MODIF'IE'R.

Application filed February 3, 1922. Serial No. 583,755.

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK E. SHANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county 'ofcJackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tone Modifiers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others. skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part. of this specification. V

This invention relates to a tone modifying attachment adapted for use in connection with reed instruments, such as Saxophones, and the like but it is particularly adapted for use in connection with a saxophone, the primary object being to provide a discordant sound or tone which the disciples of the socalled jazz music seem to enjoy.

I am aware that devices have been provided for effecting the discordant sounds common to jazz music but these devices have generally been applied to the key orifice so that when the tone modifier is applied to any particular key orifice, that particular key becomes ineffective to perform its normal function. In other words, the application of the tone modifier is introduced into the instrument at the sacrifice of a key and while it is generally applied to one of the keys for the higher tones, the key is sometimes required to produce its tone and it is not available on account of the attachment.

My invention consists in providing a tone modifier on the mouthpiece of the reed instrument so that it can be used without in any way affecting the mechanical operation of the instrument, and to this end the invention consists in certain novel arrangements of parts which will be specifically referred to hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a saxophone to which my invention is attached.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through the mouthpiece showing the invention applied, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view through the tone modifier and part of the mouthpiece.

The saxophone 1 is of the usual construction with an appropriate mouthpiece 1' thereon. The mouthpiece conforms in all essential particulars with the conventional type of mouthpiece, having the usual mouthpiece proper, the reed 2 and the ligature 3.

Transversely through the wall of "the mouthpiece and preferably in the to i thereof is an opening 4, in which is a be e 5 ex? tending into the orifice 6. Surrounding the opening 4 is 'a'seat7, bound by an internally threaded collar 8, which receives the externally threadedportion 9 of a clamping collar or ring 10.

Upon the seat 7 may be placed a ringshape'd frame or bead 11 consisting of twomembers, between which is secured a diaphra'ginou's disk 12 of tissue, fish paper, gut or the like. Y In actual notice I prefer to use fish paper. The dis" '12 is drawn "taut within the frame so that it will vibrate when the instrument is played.

The bafile 5 extends a sufficient distance within the orifice 6 to prevent dampness or moisture from reaching the diaphragmous disk 12, and thereby afiecting the diaphragm.

The ring 10 is provided with an enlarged ofiset portion 14, hinged to which is a cap or cover member 15, the cover member being hinged at 16, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and having a latch portion 17 which fits over the perimeter of the collar or ofl'set por tion 14 to hold it in its closed position to close the orifice or opening 18, which is of substantially the same bore as the skirt 5. The cover or lid 15 is preferably faced on its under surface with fiber, cork, or the like, as at 19, so that it will tightly fit on the upper face of the offset portion 14 and prevent leakage of sound or air.

The cover 15 is provided with a plurality of holes or openings 20, adapted to coincide with complementary openings or holes 21 in a mute 22, concentric with the cover 15 and rotatably secured thereto by a rivet or fastening device 23, and near the perimeter of the mute 22 is a knob 24, by means of which the mute 22 may be rotated on its axis.

The ligature 3 is shown with a central opening 25, which fits over the collar 8 so that the ligature may properly function to hold the reed fast to the mouthpiece proper.

When the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 3 and the player plays the instrument in the usual way, there will be a discordant sound, due to the vibration of the diaphragm 12: provided, of course, that the openings 21 coincide with the openings 20 or, if desired, the cover can be tilted back so that the maximum effect may be had.

If it is desired to mute the tone, the cover will be put on as in Fig. 3 and the operator will manipulate the knob 24 to turn the mute. 22 to more or less close ofi communication between the openings 20 and 21. If the mute 22 is turned so that the openings 20 are entirely covered, there will be no tone or sound resulting from the vibration of the diaphragm 12; then the instrument can be manipulated in the usual Way, all of the tones being normally produced with their true value according to the keys manipulated.

It will therefore, be seen that the instrument can be provided with a true modifier which will not require the disuse of any particular re y and the device can be readily controlled to increase or diminish the volume of the tone created by the diaphragm by manipulating the mute 22 and that whenever necessary, the tone modifier can be rendered effective or ineffective Without disturbing the rest of the instrument.

\Vhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:

l. A mouthpiece for musical instruments having a transverse opening, a diaphragm closing the opening, means for securing the diaphragm to the mouthpiece comprising a collar, and a hinged cover forsaid collar.

2-. A mouthpiece for musical instruments having a transverse opening, a diaphragm closing the opening, means for securing the diaphragm to the mouthpiece comprising a collar, a hinged cover for said collar having openings, and a rotatable mute carried by the cover and adapted to vary the efi'ective port area of the openings.

3. A mouthpiece for musical instruments including a vibratory reed as part of the mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a trans verse opening therein, and a diaphragm closing the opening, the diaphragm producing a discordant sound combining with the natural tone produced by the reed of the mouthpiece.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

FREDERICK E. SHANE. 

